The ACT Ombudsman has announced that a formal consultation period has begun for draft ACT Freedom of Information (FOI) guidelines for dealing with access applications and consideration of public interest.
The Ombudsman, Michael Manthorpe said the Office worked with Agencies to ensure they complied with their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2016.
“To help ACT Government Agencies interpret and administer the FOI Act, the Office is developing a series of guidelines,” Mr Manthorpe said.
“The first two sets of guidelines have been finalised and are now available online.”
These were the Freedom of Information Guideline, one of six: Open Access Information (October 2019), and Freedom of Information Guideline, two of six: Informal Requests for Government Information (October 2019).
“The next two draft guidelines are currently out for formal consultation with all Directorates,” the Ombudsman said.
“They are Freedom of Information Guideline, three of six: Dealing with access applications (November 2019), and Freedom of Information Guideline, four of six: Considering the public interest (November 2019).”
The Ombudsman said another two guidelines on the FOI Act would be published in 2020 on the following topics: Amending personal information and reviews and complaints.
“Throughout the year the Office holds forums for FOI officers working in ACT Government Agencies,” Mr Manthorpe said.
“At the forums, participants will hear presentations from FOI experts and learn from their experiences.”
“The forums are used to consult on the development of the FOI Guidelines,” he said.
The closing date for the two guidelines under consideration is 10 January.
